American Idol: Harry Connick Jr returns during Comeback episode after judging for three seasons

Harry Connick, Jr., returned to American Idol on Monday during its Comeback episode in which contestants from last season competed for a spot in the Top 10.

The 53-year-old singer once spent three years assessing the show’s talent and displayed his own with a glimpse of his latest album, Alone With My Faith.

It was a record Harry hoped would help listeners heal during the coronavirus pandemic, and he’d made in his home studio during lockdown.

In an incredible feat, the New Orleans native wrote, sang, and produced every note on the album, also playing around 30 instruments. 

‘I was alone in my studio, I didn’t have any friends or musicians,’ he told show host Ryan Seacrest, 46, who reminded Harry his friends simply couldn’t visit.

The first song Harry played bore the name of the album, and had a strangely off-kilter tone—a clear departure from the harmonious songs of his past.

‘My life has changed, my world is uncertain, everything’s strange, everything’s new,’ he sang as he played piano. ‘But I’m not concerned with what tomorrow will bring, ’cause I’ve got today and I’m gonna pull through.’

Harry’s second song, Old-Time Religion, saw him playing four instruments, among them a giant tuba, a harpejji, piano and church organ.

Lauren Daigle, 29, an alumna of Idol seasons nine and 11, also returned to sing the title track from her 2018 Grammy-winning album Look Up Child.

The episode gave 10 contestants from Idol season 19 another shot at stardom after they had to sing from home during last year’s competition.

That season was won by Just Sam, aka Samantha Diaz, a 21-year-old singer from New York City who was then signed to Hollywood Records.

Ryan called the evening ‘the second chance of a lifetime,’ because it gave the singers an unprecedented chance to join the current Top 10.

They were also treated to the full hair and makeup experience they’d missed out on last year, and for the first time, could sing onstage with the in-house band.

‘What a plot twist!’ said judge Katy Perry, 36, to one contestant. ‘Y’all were robbed from an experience. I like to call it the whole ”star wash”.’

Live voting through April 26 would determine the lone winner, whose name will be revealed on Idol’s May 2 show.

First up was Cyniah Elise, 19, a singer and actress from Atlanta who showcased her rocking side with Miley Cyrus’ and Stevie Nick’s Edge Of Midnight.

The judges admired her stage presence, and while Katy wanted more vocally, Luke Bryan, 44, applauded the ‘signature big notes that we expect from you.’

Nick Merico, 25, a musician from Miami, sang a dance-pop original called City Lights as he tried to recapture the spotlight in his third time on the show.

‘I’m not sure it was knocked out of the park for me vocally,’ Luke groused, earning boos as Katy praised Nick’s quest for an artistic identity.

Aliana Jester, 20, a server from Tampa, performed a deeply felt cover of Lady Gaga’s I’ll Never Love Again, looking glamorous in a mirrored dress.

The judges gave her a standing ovation, and Lionel Richie, 71, called it ‘a world-class, wonderful performance,’ while Katy admired her poise and elegance.

Franklin Boone, 29, a teacher from Durham, North Carolina, sang Switchfoot’s Meant To Live, playing electric guitar and making Luke rock out in his seat.

Katy missed Franklin’s usual singer/songwriter side, but called it ‘so nice to see all these colors and shapes’ in the completely atypical performance.

Faith Becnel, 21, a restaurant manager from Metairie, Lousiana, belted Janis Joplin’s Cry Baby, which Luke called ‘a great song choice.’

Katy was impressed with the fact that Faith had learned to balance out her vibrato and add more dimension to her singing since last season.

Arthur Gunn, 23, a musician from Wichita, Kansas, returned with the Goo Goo Dolls hit song Iris, aiming to redeem himself after finishing runner-up last year.

The judges bounced along happily as he sang and rose in a simultaneous standing ovation as he finished, with Lionel calling Arthur a ‘stylist’ with ‘instant identity.’

DeWayne Crocker, Jr., a college student from Colorado Springs, Colorado, played piano on Dante Bowe’s Voice Of God, a beautiful gospel cover.

‘It was really dope,’ Katy told DeWayne. ‘I felt those church chills.’

Makayla Phillips, 18, a vocal coach from Temecula, California, looked like a star as she sang Demi Lovato’s Anyone, her vocals soaring across the stage.

She dedicated the song to her sister Whitney, who’d lost her father last year, and her voice broke at the end as tears welled up in her eyes.

‘We felt every bit of that performance,’ Lionel said afterward, as Katy called Makayla’s emotion ‘everything’ and noted, ‘the best storyteller wins.’

Olivia Ximines, 17, a high school student from Menifee, California, did a peppy version of Say Yes, by Michelle Williams, Beyoncé and Kelly Rowland.

The judges loved Olivia’s dancing, with Katy saying, ‘You weren’t meant to stay in the living room. That wouldn’t have been fair. You needed to be on this stage.’

The last contestant was Louis Knight, 20, a singer/songwriter from Philadelphia who sang Maybe That, a song he wrote about someone who broke his heart.

‘Wow!’ Luke called out, listening to the vulnerability in Louis’ voice.

Katy told Louis, ‘I always thought you were super-authentic, and I think you really came out here and bared your soul.’

‘What really matters is whoever you wrote this song for, they call you back!’ she considered. ‘Because I really felt that.’

Luke said the performance might be his favorite Idol moment ever with Louis, adding, ‘I’m so glad it happened tonight.’

Louis had written the song during his last Idol audition, and reassured the judges, ‘My heart is very healed. I’m happy now.’

‘I don’t know a truer artist on this show than you,’ offered show mentor Bobby Bones, 41.

American Idol will return on May 2 on ABC with Disney Night.